“I simply do not think it’s possible to cheat on an electric motor without being discovered,” Kristensen told ekstrabladet.dk. “In 2010, I was a mechanic at the two races with Cancellara’s permanent mechanic, Roger Theel, and we jointly assembled all the team’s bikes for Spring Classics,” he said.

“Had there been an engine stored in a bike, I would have discovered it. It would not be possible to avoid it. Fabian’s bikes were handled like all other bikes, so it’s impossible that something could be hidden in it.”

“Fabian’s bikes were always locked in the trucks along with the other bikes after a race,” Kristensen continued. “Had there been a motor, the bike would probably have been tucked away in a hotel room.

“If there was a motor, then would a mechanic have been allowed to wash the bike after a run? We all did that. I simply do not think it’s possible to cheat with an electric motor without being discovered.”

“We will investigate because we need to know exactly what is behind this,” Lappartient told Cyclingnews. “Of course, I heard all the rumours, like everybody, and I just want to know exactly. So we will investigate, that is our job.”